Blessed & Bearded's Biblical Blog

- Hymns help to teach the tenets of the faith and remember them. - Words of sound doctrine mixed them with a memorable tune to result in lessons that can be easily learned/remembered.  - Theology: Study of God - Theology is the foundation of all your thinking; it sets the inclinations of the heart/mind. Questions to consider: What theology is expressed in the congregational's singing? Is there sufficient pastoral breadth in music?  Is there sufficient liturgical breadth? Is there sufficient historical, cultural breadth? Does the music serve the text? Does the music encourage corporate worship? Is the music appropriate to the capability of the congregation? Do the hymns we sing encourage growth in discipleship?

So chapter 6 Paul proved that our sanctification is by faith in Christ alone and have been brought under a new law. Chapter 7 Paul will show us the motivation for seeking Christ in daily Christian living. 7:1-6 7:1-3     Basically what Paul speaks of here is that  According to law, a woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive. If during his lifetime she has a sexual relationship w/another man, the Law of marriage condemns her as an adulteress, broken the law. But if her husband dies she is no longer bound by the Law of marriage, free to marry another.     Paul explains his analogy in 7:4. 7:4 Explain to me how we "died to the law  through  the body of Christ”.     We died to the law through Christ, and  particularly in His  sacrificial death, because as the substitute for sinners He suffered the penalty of death that the law demanded. IE The law brings about...

Paul having proven the doctrine of justification now moves to discussing the doctrine of sanctification, which is the natural fruit of justification where God produces actual righteousness in the believer.  6:1-14 6:1 Through verse 1-10 Paul will begin his lesson on sanctification by arguing that in spite of their past, all whom God has justified will experience personal holiness.  This said, I know none of us here had quite the life of Saul of Tarsus. But do y’all ever wrestle with past sin or guilt over your past life in your Christian walk?     [Let them answer] If so, how have you dealt with that guilt?     Paul, throughout the rest of this chapter, will expound on the great change that has happened within you; that great changed happened through out union with Christ. Our union with Christ is the alms for a guilt stricken mind and a sinful heart.  “Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?”  So doe...

Two weeks ago Paul confidently proved that we are justified/made right with God through faith in the Christ. Now Paul will show us the fruits of this justification. 5:1-5 5:1 What is the fruit of our justification that Paul mentions here?     “peace with God”  Is this “peace” internal or external”?     It’s an external peace with God that leads to an internal peace; but Paul, here, chiefly speaks of external peace.  Given this, what was the relationship between God and sinful man prior to his salvation?     Man was in rebellion against God, but, moreover, God was a war with us. As Paul states in Ephesians we are “by nature  children of wrath ” (Eph 2).       It is not only important for us to understand our relationship with God now, after our justification, but also before all justification; God has us dead to rights, justly condemned under His holy righteousness, unable to ...